International Impact of Homeland Security Policy

In this interconnected and interdependent global society, countries no longer can remain unaffected by the actions of other countries. This is particularly true for homeland security. For instance, a robust U.S. homeland security policy not only ensures better prevention, protection, response to, and recovery from natural disasters and terrorism within the United States, but also affects the homeland security policies of other countries. Similarly, how other countries address their own security threats or cooperate with the United States in counterterrorism efforts influences U.S. security policies. Knowledge of the international impact and implications of U.S. homeland security policies, the effects of international policies on U.S. homeland security policies, and the importance of international collaboration for global security is essential for understanding U.S. homeland security in its entirety.

To prepare for this Discussion: 

Review the article, "North American Cooperation in an Era of Homeland Security." Think about how homeland security policies related to U.S. security along the Canadian border might impact Canada and its citizens.

Review the assigned pages of the online article, "World at Risk: The Report of the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism." Focus on the U.S. homeland security policies that attempt to reduce the threats of biological or nuclear weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Think about the international impact of these policies.

Review the online article, "Strategic Counterterrorism." Reflect on the international impact of the Bush administration's homeland security and counterterrorism policies.

Review the online article, "European Approaches to Homeland Security and Counterterrorism." Focus on the homeland security policies described for Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Select one U.S. homeland security policy and one non-U.S. homeland security policy from the readings of this week.

Think about the international impact of each homeland security policy you selected.
With these thoughts in mind:

Post a brief description of one U.S. homeland security policy and one non-U.S. homeland security policy. Then explain the international impact of each homeland security policy. Be specific, and use examples to illustrate your explanation.

Note: Include the policies you selected in the first line of your post. You will be asked to respond to a colleague who chose at least one different policy from the ones you chose.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources .


Learning Resources

Readings

Article: Haglund, D. G. (2003). North American cooperation in an era of homeland security. Orbis, 47(4), 675–691.
Use the Academic Search Premier database, and search using the article's title.
Online Article: Archick, K., Ek, C., Gallis, P., Miko, F. T., & Woehrel, S. (2006). European approaches to homeland security and counterterrorism. Retrieved from http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/RL33573.pdf
Online Article: Benjamin, D. (2008). Strategic counterterrorism. Retrieved from http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/papers/2008/10_terrorism_benjamin/10_terrorism_benjamin.pdf
Online Article: Graham, B., Talent, J., Allison, G., Cleveland, R., Rademaker, S., Roemer, T., et al. (2008). World at risk: The report of the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism. Retrieved from http://www.absa.org/leg/WorldAtRisk.pdf
"Executive Summary"
Optional Resources

Course Text: Introduction to Homeland Security: Principles of All-Hazards Risk Management
Chapter 5, "Intelligence and Counterrorism"
Online Article: Carafano, J. J., & Weitz, R. (2007). Enhancing international collaboration for homeland security and counterterrorism. Retrieved from http://s3.amazonaws.com/thf_media/2007/pdf/bg2078.pdf

Online Article: Laegreid, P., & Serigstad, S. (2004). Organizing for homeland security: The case of Norway. Retrieved from http://www.ub.uib.no/elpub/rokkan/N/N12-04.pdf

Online Article: Arcos, C. (2004). The role of the Department of Homeland Security overseas. Retrieved from http://s3.amazonaws.com/thf_media/2004/pdf/hl840.pdf